In the absence of any published rules, discussion took place with the SFTC Chairman and the BMFA Comp Sec, it was deemed sensible to follow the F5J League and BMFA Variations, over the 2 days of competitions.

Each competition will be over 1 day, the intention being to fly a minimum of 5 rounds ( No maximum ) – giving a dropped score each day. The 2 days/contests will count for final scores.

In the event that 5 rounds cannot be flown on day 1, the single competition will carry over to day 2, with as many rounds as possible being flown, to a circa 16:00 finish.

If neither day is flyable, the SFTC will decide on another date, possibly in Spring 2018.

Entry details.Please sign-up on this website, giving your name and BMFA number and amount to pay.Costs:- £25 for the weekend competitions; plus £5 night/camping unit.Once your name has been added to the list below, please allow at least one day then ring the BMFA and ask to make a card payment for F5J Trials. In this way the web-list and payments are tied together.

Yes, the postcode NG33 5RW is right next to the BMFA building and certainly got me there OK first time.

In words........Find the village of Sewstern, Grantham.Go down Main Street and continue as it leaves the village, for maybe half a mile, along a narrow road with wide verges. You should now be opposite the gate to Buckminster Lodge; turn right into the drive, go towards the house but turn right into the flying field as you pass through the big wooden gates.

Well, how did we get away with a weekend that gave reasonable flying conditions when we were emerging from a windy week, only to have the remnants of a hurricane bearing down on us?Friday at Buckminster was very windy and certainly unflyable but Saturday arrived with less wind, although somewhat blustery it provided challenging conditions for the F5J Team Trial.It quickly became clear that more than "usual" amounts of power were likely to be the order of the day if the generally desirable penetration upwind was to be achieved, those who could not were going to be disadvantaged!Lift was to be found and often 2 thermals were necessary to do 10 minutes without having to go so far downwind that return to base was compromised. Bob did an amazing recovery to the landing spot when many of us watching thought he would never even clear the the downwind trees. In fact he went round the biggest; well vanished and reappeared at the side, might be a better description! However there were several excellent pieces of flying all round and many slots flew out. THis is how things were at the end of day one after 9 rounds.

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We had flown 2 slots of 7people and this enabled good competition and resulted in Rounds being completed quickly. However, as a lot of moving about to and from the flightline was required and nearly everybody was needed to either fly or timekeep, we had frequent breaks to make life easier but the conditions on Sunday changed that process somewhat.Following the wind of Saturday, fog was the last thing we expected on Sunday morning but there it was! Cloudbase was low and I decided that we would only start when we were sure that a safe competition, comprising a minimum of 5 round could be flown in time to give a 4pm finish. Traffic had been very bad and we hoped this timing would help most people on their trip home. The cut-off time for a start was therefore determined as 1pm and it was gone 12noon before there was a literal glimmer of light and we got cracking at about 12:30.Conditions were much as before with probably more lift but still more than one thermal was needed, with a return upwind between and still a well judged final return to the spot. Notable "happening" apart from a lot of good flying all-round, was Kevin having his ballast detach on launch and slip right down his Xplorer fus. On full power it did 2 very tight loops before reversing into his own landing tape tape to get 25 points but a mighty short flight!So the day ended with some good scores -

Top 3 are nominated Team Members and should be congratulated on flying so well all weekend 4th placing Brian will be nominated as 1st reserve.Everybody else who flew produced some good results and should be praised for their efforts, as should all those who helped on either day with any other duties!General feeling was that this system of Team Trials worked well and should be extended to 2 weekends for the future.

Regards

Mike

Neil Stainton

Post subject: Re: F5J Team Trial RESULTS - RESULTS - FINAL SCORES -

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:08 pm

Site Admin

Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:15 pmPosts: 961Location: Warwickshire

Thank you Mike for running the weekend in your usual efficient and laid back way.

Thanks also for the warm reception I was given by all.

Congratulations to the new F5J UK team members. The quality of the flying was a bit humbling!

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